Basement window construction



Sept, 9, 1958 L... cA'RNlcK BASEMENT' WINDOW CONSTRUCTION 2 sheets-sheet 1 .Filed April 24, .1.956l

Y @my INVENToR LYLE cARN Ick ATTO R NEY iwindow framingat the top and sides. .preferably made of metal, is .ofthe bottom tilting type 'which opens at the top, and is fully removable from its handles from `the keepers on the frame. r Vhandles are pivotally mounted on the side elements of the window flush position. effects a downward pressure on-the window sash bringing the lower edges ofthe bottom or sill element tive weathering features at thesill. the Window sash must seal at the frame sill as nearly perfectly as possible. Amost positive weathering in any basement `window known United States Patent() 7 Claims. (Cl. 20-53) This invention relates to a basement window construction and more particularly to a tilting, removable metal Window sash having locking type lift sash handles at each side element, adapted to seal the sash in its frame at the sill.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my earlier filed copending application Serial No. `402,692 filed Jan- `uary 7, 1954,\now Patent No. 2,753,964,fissued July 10,

1956, for Basement Window Construction.

The basement window constructioncomprises a double contact window sash and frame combination in which the window sash head and side elements are provided with uniplanar flanges adapted to make contact with the The window is frame upon disengagement of the side positioned locking The locking window sash so that they rotate in a plane normalto the plane of the window, i. e. the .handles rotate-upwardly from a position flush upon the window sash side elements to a` position substantially at right angles'to the window, so that the window sash can be easily back-tilted and `lifted-up and out of its frame.

Among the important elements of distinction over the -earlier'fled application above referred to is the locking 'cam on the latch handle at each side of the window.

This cam is arranged at anangle to the vertical planeof the window when the handle is rotated into its closed The angle on the locking cam n into double sealing contact with the sill of the frame.

`A principal problem in the construction of 'a suitable and satisfactory basement window is the closure'at the sill. Basement windows are generally `located close to or latfor below grade level. vIt will be readily understood ltherefore that rain, snow, sleet, hail and similar elements will be more easily blown into these windows that are close tothe ground. Weathering is lost primarily at fthe sill, the most difcult place lto weather seal a window,

particularly a basement window. To construct a thoroughly satisfactory basement window, it-must'have posi- That is, the sill of The instant invention effects the to applicant.

Another distinction is the maintenance of a sp'acing gap between the webs of the window sash head element and the frame head element so that even though unusual overloading ofthe frame head should occur, the window sash will move easily out of or into the frame. All too often,A through negligence or other causes, the contractor will place an excessive load on the window frame header as he .constructs the building at the basement window opening. The spacing :gap at the window head permits 2,850,774 Patented Sept. 9, 1958 ice the frame to deflect slightly without binding the window sash, which can still be opened and yclosed with ease. Even though deflection inthe frame head may occur, double contact between window sash and frame is nevertheless maintained by means of the flanges about the head and side elements of the window sash and frame.

One object of the invention is to provide side locking and lifting handles on a window sash which embody cam type latches that seal the window at the sill under Inechanical pressure. Another object is to provide handle latch cams having a slight angle to the vertical plane of the window so that downward pressure of the window against the frame sill is constantly maintained when the handles are positioned in closed position. A further object is to provide handles pivotally mounted on each side of the window sash within the Web of the frame, whereby the handles have flat gripping portions that rest flush at the window plane whenthe handles are in closed position. Another object is to provide slots in the side elements of the window so that double contact of thewindow in the frame is not modified or reduced, through which slots 'the pivotally mounted webs of the handles rotate. l y

These and other objectsof the invention and features of construction will'become more clearly apparent from the descriptiongiven below. The'terins are used for pur- Referring now tothe drawings annexed hereto and made an integral parthereof, showing a preferred embodiment of the v invention, r l Fig. l is a fronte'levation of the window of thisinvention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. `3 is an venlarged horizontal sectional View taken substantially on the line 3 -3 of Fig. 1. 'v l Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section of the window sash tilted out ofthe frame into an open position.

Fig. 5 is anenlarg'ed fragmentary horizontal sectional view at the right side ofthe window sash and frame `in Fig. 1, showing the handle "in solid lines'at closed position and in broken lines at opened position.

Fig. A6`vis a front elevational View of the fragmentary portion shown in Fig. 5, with the handle in full opened position.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational viewlo'f the center bar portion at the window sash 'and vframe header elements, with a portion :brokenaw'ay to more clearly show the gap between window sash and frame header webs.

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are enlarged fragmentary side elevational vviews showingl modifications of thel preferred handle latch cam configurations shown in Figs. 2, '5 and 6.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the basement window construction of this invention comprises a 'tilting removable window sash 1li) in a frame 12.

Window sash 10 is preferably made of metal and cornprises a Z-bar header 14 having a front flange I6, aweb 18 and an linside closing flange 20: two Z-bar side elements or stiles 22, each having a front flange 22?, a web 26, an inside closing flange 2S, and a handle slot 30 'in the flange 28 flush with web 26; and a bottom sill mein- `ber 32 of 'T-section having a front upper element 34; a

front bottom element 36 and a T-bar 3'8. A'center section -member 40 is fixedly mounted between and conjoined to sash header 14 and sill member 312. The header, side Vand sill members are 'conjoined into al rectangular window ksash according to practices long known in' 'the window art, these including notching and welding,'-s1'o'tting for end portions 'that arepeened over, andother techi- 3 niques. The preferred construction embodies one or more of these techniques.

At the sides of window sash are arranged two locking and lifting handles 42 which comprise a grip portion 44, a web 46 at right angles to the plane of portion 44, and a cam 48 normal to web 46. Handle 42 is pivotally mounted on side element web 26, above the center of gravity of the window sash by a pivot pin 50. Thus, when the two handles 42 are grasped and the window sash lifted, the latter will depend in a substantially vertical fashion at the pivot pins. In order that thc desired and required double contact be made at the sill, cam 48 is disposed at a slight angle to the vertical plane of the window. It has been found that an angle of approximately 8 provides the requisite camming action which both locks the window sash 10 firmly in frame 12 and forces the window sill member 32 into double contact with the frame sill member 76.

Frame 12, preferably also of metal, comprises the following conjoined elements, a head member 60 of Z-section form having a front depending ange 62, a web 64 and an inside flange 66; two Z-section side members 68, each having a front flange 70, a web 72 and an inside outwardly projecting flange 74; and a bottom sill member 76 having a front depending flange 78, a web 80 and an inside upstanding flange 82.

Double contact of window sash 10 in frame 12 is made at the sill by window sash element 36 bearing on frame web 80 and window sash T-bar 38 bearing on the edge of frame flange 82. On the other three sides of the construction, window sash front flanges 16 and 24 bear against frame front flanges 62 and 70, respectively, and window sash inside anges and 28 bear against frame inside flanges 66 and 74, respectively, to complete the double contact which provides a tightly closed sealed window construction. It is, of course, well known in the metal window industry that double contact windows provide the best protection against such elements as wind, rain, snow and the like. The basement window construction of this invention likewise meets the high structural standards set by the industry. To applicants knowledge, there is no metal tiltable, removable basement window embodying a pair of side locking handles on the sash which effect a full double contact seal on all sides of the window when the locking handles are rotated into closed ush aligned position.

In order that the handles 42 operate on window sash 10, the elongated slot 30 is provided in the inside anges 28 flush with webs 26, so that handle web 46 is rotatable therethrough as the grip portion 44 is moved from its ush closed position, in solid lines in Fig. 2, to its projected open position, in broken lines in the same gure.

To engage handle cam 48 as a keeper, frame side members 68 are provided with a pin 92, preferably round, which is mounted in the frame side member web 72 at a point adjacent and somewhat across from the handle pivot pin 50. It will be observed from the drawing views that the axis of the keeper pin 92 is slightly above and in front of the axis of pivot pin 50. This relationship permits the handle 42 to be rotated into a flush closed position while forcing the window sill member 32 downward into double bearing contact with frame sill member 76, as above described.

Another feature of the construction, which has been described in the above referred to application, provides for tilting and removing window 10 from frame 12. Tilting pivot pins 100 are provided in the window sash sill T-bar 38, and tilting stop pins 102 are provided in the frame side member webs 72. Window glass 104 is mounted in mastic 106 in the conventional manner in window sash 10. j

At the head section of the window construction, see Figs. 2 `and 7, it is to be noted that a substantial gap 108 is provided between frame head web 64 and window sash head web 18, so that if overloading of the frame should occur the window sash 10 can nevertheless be tilted inwardly and removed from frame 12. In practice, the gap distance varies from l/s" to yf, approximately.

Figs. 8, 9 and l() show modifications of the handle latch cam configuration, being disposed at closed position against cam keeper 92. Fig. 8 shows a straight vertical cam 110 in parallel alignment with the vertical plane of the window. This cam, it was found, did not provide satisfactory closing and sealing at the sill, but permitted upward and downward shifting or travel of sash 10 in frame 12, even though handle cam 110 was closed against keeper 92.

Fig. 9 shows an inwardly curved concave cam 112. The curvature and length of this cam are directly related to the function of the handle. The length of cam 112 should be such that when the handle grip portion is pivoted into full open position, as in Figs. 5 or 6, the upper portion of the cam will have full and ample clearance under keeper 92 to permit free outward tilting of the sash, and conversely to permit free unhindered ingress of the cam when sash 10 is moved into closing position in the frame. Also, the length of cam 112 should be such that it will not make contact, upon pivoting of the handle, with the frame side member outer anges 70. The lower Yportion of the curve in cam 112 should be such as to effect a downward pressure of the sash upon the frame sill. These factors in the cam curvature should be considered in the construction of a workable latching handle.

Fig. 10 shows an outwardly curved convex cam 114. The length of this cam should be such that, upon pivoting of the handle, the upper end of the cam will not make contact with the frame side member outer anges 70. Also, there mustV be ample clearance between the cam curve and the keeper 92 when the handle is pivoted into open position to permit free and unhindered egress and ingress of the latching mechanism mounted on the sash. In this modification, the upper portion of the cam surface should bear against the keeper 92 to effect a downward pressure of the sash against the frame sill.

At times, for one reason or another, the sills of the frame or sash or both may be bowed. This may occur during installation of the window by the contractor. Or, through sheer happenstance, a small fragment of cement or other material may lodge between the sash sill and the frame sill to raise the sash out of full seated posi tion in the frame. In either event, the handle latching cam 112, Fig. 9, or cam 114, Fig. 10, may be raised to a point where effective engagement with keeper 92 would be difficult -or impossible. Therefore, care should be exercised to provide ample clearance between the cam curves of either cam 112 or cam 114 and the keeper 92 to enable the operator to etfect proper closing action for the sash in its frame.

It will be understood that lifting of the sashby a. bowed sill or other cause may place cam 112, Fig. 9, too high for proper closing, or for the desired downward and horizontal pressures. In the case of cam 114, Fig. l0, lifting of the sash may place the keeper on the lower portion of the cam curve so that the sash is lifted instead of being forced downwardly as desired. In addition, the sash would be held in raised position causing the window Vhead web 18 to come close to or touch the frame head `cash 10 inwardly past tilt stop pins 102. These features of operation and Aconstruction are thoroughly described vand disclosed in the above referred to application.

Because the latching mechanism is at the sides of the window construction--sash handles 42 engageable with frame keepers 92-the -camming action of cams 48, in addition to effecting a double contact seal at the sill, also causes the sash header web 18 to move ydownwardly away from frame header web 64, so that the gap opening 108 is positively created. This gap, vtherefore, provid-es a means to permit free opening and closing of the window sash even though the frame header may be slightly deflected under load. On the other'hand, basement windows which have top latching mechanism should not be deflected at their heads by excessive loads or the latch will become jammed and fail to operate to open or close the Window. The instant basement window construction avoids this dilculty, as disclosed.

The instant invention provides, however, the necessary and desirable feature which closes the window sash against the sill of the frame 12, while drawing both sides and head into double contact with the frame. When window 10 is tilted back into closed position in the `frame 12, latch cam 48 'is substantially horizontal, Figs. '2 and 5, under'keeper 92. By rotating handle 42 downwardly, cam 48 is caused to come into contact with keeper 92, sliding upwardly against the keeper while forcing the window sill T-bar 32 into double sealing contact against frame sill 76, as described. Further, the angled cam 48 also draws the window sash side and head member flanges horizontally into irm double sealing contact with the frame side and head member flanges, .as described. It is the angled characteristic of the preferred handle cam 48 which achieves these desirable results.

Having described the invention in its simplest terms, it is to be understood that the details of the foregoing specification may be .changed and varied in greater or lesser degree without ydeparting from the essence of the invention.

I claim:

1. The combination of a removable window sash, a window frame, and a pair of sash lifting latch handles, said sash having Acoplanar ange elements lon its head and side members adapted to close said sash in said frame, said sash having a T-bar sill member adapted to make weather sealing contact with the sill member of said frame, said handles having flat manual grip portions connected to integrally formed web portions Iand being pivotally mounted at said web portions on lsaid sash side members in horizontal alignment above the center of gravity of said sash, said handle grip portions adapted to lie ush upon said sash when said handles are pivoted into closed position and to rotate upwardly in a vertical plane normal to the plane of said sash so as to project from said sash when in opened position, and sash locking cams `on said handle web portions to latch on locking keeper means mounted on said frame inwardly thereof and above the pivoting axes of said handles, said cams being arranged at a slight` acute angle to the vertical plane of said sash, the line of tangency of said cams with respect to Vsaid keeper means being inclined downwardly to the inner side of said sash when in fully closed position, said cam engaging and bearing upon said keeper means from below with increasing pressure as said handle is pivoted to closing position to force said sash downwardly into weather sealing contact with said frame sill and simultaneously ldrawing said sash forwardly into said frame, whereby eifective clearance for free opening and closing movement of said sash in said frame is maintained.

2. The combination of a .bottom-tilting removable window sash, a window frame, and a pair of sash lifting handles mounted by pivot means at each side of said sash in horizontal alignment above the center of gravity of said sash, said sash and frame each having head, side and sill members in complementary corresponding relationship, whereby said sash members are adapted to seat in closed Weather-sealing contact in said frame, said '6 handles having manual lgrip portions connected to integrally formed web portions and sash locking cams on said latter portionsv to engage keeper means on said frame side members inwardly thereof, at a point above the pivoting axes of said handles, and closely adjacent said handle pivot means when said sash is closed in said frame, sald cams being straight and flat in form and arranged at a slight acute angle to the vertical plane of said sash, the line of tangency of said cams with respect to said keeper means being inclined downwardly and inwardly of said sash when in full closed and locked position, whereby said cams engage and bear upon said keeper means from below with increasing pressure as said handle is pivoted to closing position to force said sash downwardly into weather-sealing contact with said frame sill and simultaneously to draw said sash forwardly into'said frame, and maintaining effective clearance for free opening and closing movement of said sash in said frame.

.3. The combination of a bottom-tilting removable window sash, a window frame, and a pair of sash lifting handles mounted by pivot means at each side of said sash in lhorizontal alignment above the center of gravity of said sash, said sash and frame each having head, side and sill members in complementary corresponding relationship, whereby said sash members are adapted to seat in closed weather-sealing contact in said frame, said handles having manual grip portions connected to integrally formed web portions and sash locking cams on said latter portions to engage keeper means on said frame side members inwardly thereof, at a point above the pivoting axes of said handles, and closely adjacent said handle pivot means when said sash is closed in said frame, each of said cams being curved concavely with respect to said keeper means so that the line of tangency therewith is at a slight acute angle to the Vertical plane of said sash and inclined downwardly and inwardly when in fully closed position, and arranged so that the ends of the keeper engaging cam surface when said handle .is in full open position lie in a plane below said keeper means to provide free ingress and egress of said sash in said frame, whereby said cams engage and bear upon said keeper means from below with increasing pressure as said handle is pivoted to 'closing position to force said sash downwardly into weather-sealing Contact with said frame sill and simultaneously to draw said sash forwardly into said frame, and maintaining eifective clearance for free opening and closing movement of said sash in said frame.

4. The combination of a bottom-tilting removable window'sash, a window frame, and a pair of sash lifting handles mounted by pivot means at each side of said sash in horizontal alignment above the :center of gravity of said sash, said sash and frame each having head, side and sill members in complementary corresponding relationship, whereby said sash members are adapted to seat in closed weather-sealing contact in said frame, said handles having manual grip portions connected to integrally formed web portions and sash locking cams on said latter portions to engage keeper means on said frame side members inwardly thereof, at a point above the pivoting axes of said handles, and closely adjacent said handle pivot means when said sash is closed in said fra-me, each of said cams being curved convexly with respect to said keeper means so that the line of tangency therewith is at a slight acute angle to the vertical plane of said sash and inclined downwardly and inwardly when in full closed position, and arranged so that the ends of the keeper engaging cam surface when said handle is in full open position lie in a plane below said keeper means to provide free ingress and egress of said sash 1n said frame, whereby said cams engage and bear upon said keeper means from below with increasing pressure as said handle is pivoted to :closing position to. force said sash downwardly into weather-sealing contact with said frame sill and simultaneously to draw said sash forwardly into said frame, and maintaining effective clear- 7 ance for free opening and closing movement of said sash in said frame.

5. The combination of a removable window sash having stile members and top and bottom rail members, a window frame, and a pair of handles on said sash, said sash having coplanar flange elements on the inner side of each of the top and stile members adapted to engage said frame, said handles having grip portions and web portions connected thereto, said stile ange elements each having a slot, the web portion of said handles passing through the respective slots in said stile fiange elements, means pivotally mounting said web portions on said sash at either stile flange element thereof in horizontal alignment above the center line of said sash, locking pins mounted on said frame adjacent and normal to said sash stile members in the plane of said frame and above the pivoting axes of said handles, and sash locking cams on said web portions adapted to engage said locking pins in line Contact therewith, said cams being arranged at a slight acute angle to the vertical plane of said sash, the line of tangency of said cams with respect to said locking pins being inclined downwardly to the inner side of said sash when in fully closed posi- `8 tion, said cams engaging and bearing upon said locking pins from below with increasing pressure as said handle is pivoted to closing position to force said sash downwardly into Weather sealing contact with said frame Vsill and simultaneously drawing said sash forwardlyv into References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 972,959 Watrous Oct. 18, 1910 1,588,707 Csiga June 15, 1926 2,753,964 Carnick July 10, 1956 2,767,008 Oswald Oct. 16, 1956 

